Hi there guys,

I'm new to vent and am practicing, but I've been thinking about what type of doll I should get. I'm thinking something on the lower side of things like a sock puppet or another. I would love to try to use something similar to Jay Marshall's Lefty but I've heard that it's very difficult to use a hand character.
Any advice? Thanks.

Well,

We know several types of vent figures nowadays. From classic hard figures, soft figures, sock figures, novelties figures, until pocket puppet, peeper puppets, hand figures and else.

My advice is, check several website such as http://www.maherstudios.com
http://www.axtell.com
http://www.onewaystreet.com.

Then try to make a decision which one do you want. But don't blame me if you got figures addicted disease just like me and other vents! He..he..he....

Regards,

"The never enough figures owner"

Dear Seth,
A sock puppet or 'talking hand' type figure can be fun. The audience sees you prepare it and that can be its strength and its weakness.

Strength, as if you can make the illusion with 'nothing' the applause is louder,

Weakness, because all of the characters personality has to be produced by you and it is very difficult to get the strength of character with a figure they see you make rather than with a produced figure.

It is easier for the audience to fall into the illusion if the character is not made in front of them.

Another thing to think of is that a sock or talking hand character should not be used for too long. I know, 'tell that to Shari Lewis!' but there are always exceptions to any rule!

I use a lot of types of puppets in my Nearly Normal Magic and Puppet Programs.

Maher and Axtell are great to work with.

I just found a site called

http://www.monsterpuppets.com

but I like the way there monsters blink.

I also use a sock puppet that is a worm.

The students at my school's art class made me a two sided stage. It looks like a bottle of apple juice on one side.

The other side looks like a Tequilla Bottle.

I am developing a routine to go along with my Magic of Choices Program.

The sock will be the worm in the bottle.

or it's the liquor talking. (mini lol)

Also check out Yahoo Groups for

World Vent.

There are a lot of great ideas there.

Folkmanis is also a good source for very reasonably priced puppets.

Nigel (don't tell him) is a Folkmanis "Adoption"

Check out Mark Wades book on Kid Show Ventriloquism (on line or at your local library or through Inter-library loan)
Ask your librarian if you do not know what ILL is.

Harris Deutsch
Laughologist